






ms 



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pr-.,. 



Glass. 



THOMAS WILLIAMS'S 



CENTURIAL SERMON, 



JUMIS, 1836. 






RHODE-ISLAND PROTESTANTISM, 



STATED AND COMMENDED. 



SERMON, 



THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND CENTURY 

FROSI 

'the settlement of the state 

OF 

RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 



BY THOMAS WILLIAMS, 

PASTOR OF THE CHURCH, BARRINGTON, R. I. 



Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Cesar's ; 
and unto God the things that are God's." 



PROVIDENCE: 

PRINTED BY KNOWLES, VOSE & CO. 

1837. 



.Wt2 



RHODE-ISLAND PRINCIPLE AND POLICY, 
IN THE CHURCH AND THE STATE. 

Respecting Ecclesiastical policy, whatever does not accord with the 
absolute Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfection of the Holy 
Scriptures, the independence of Christian Churches, the official parity 
of Christian Ministers and the inviolable Sanctity of every person's 
Conscience, is not of Jesus Christ, but is Anti-Christian. 

In every Political community, the several departments and professions 
and employments should so know their places and do their duties, 
that, being separated by proper distinctions and yet united by proper 
ligaments, they may become, as the perfect, honored and happy members 
of a living, healthy, vigorous and beautiful body. 



f 



c 



SERMON. 



EZEKIEL, XXXVI. 11. 

And I will settle you after your old estates ; and will do better unto 
you than at your beginnings. 



The ancient people of God, on account of their pecuhar 
institutions, were exposed to the hatred and contempt of 
other nations. Yet, so far as they feared and served 
God, they were honored and blessed by his presence and 
favor. But when they departed from him, he was obliged, 
by his holiness and sovereignty, to reprove and condemn 
their conduct. From the evils, which they brought on 
themselves by their disobedience, their enemies took 
occasion to reproach that people and their God; as if 
these evils were to be charged against him and his laws. 
Besides, God often permitted their enemies, for a time, 
to prosper and prevail, that he might instruct and humble 
his people. For this reason, their enemies boasted and 
triumphed, as if they had gained their designs and should 
possess the high places of Israel, by the establishment of 
their delusions and abominations. Under such affecting 
circumstances, God addressed to Ezekiel the instructions 
of the chapter which contains our text. This chapter is 
entitled, "Israel revenged and comforted." 

The instructions and consolations, in this precious 
portion of divine truth, rightly understood and wisely 
applied, it is believed, may be accommodated to the past, 
the present and future condition of the State of Rhode 



Island and Providence Plantations. And it is my present 
object and purpose, instructed and assisted, as I hope, by 
the word, the Spirit and providence of God, to adapt the 
instructions of the text and context, so far as I am able, 
to the conclusion of the two hundred years, since this 
State began to be settled and possessed by Protestant 
Reformers and Puritan Christians. For it was in the 
month of June, 1636, according to the statement of James 
D. Knowles, in his Memoir of Roger Williams, that the 
founder of the State commenced his permanent residence 
within its bounds, and called the name of the town, in 
which there was given him a home for liberty with order 
and for piety with humanity. Providence, In agreement 
with the occasion and the design of the present discourse, 
it is proposed, 

I. To consider the character of the Rhode Island 
Protestants, as it appears from the early settlement and 
the original institutions of this christian commonwealth j 

II. To inquire what is necessary to the permanent 
settlement and advancement of the commonwealth upon 
its original foundations ; and, 

III. To show the great and happy eflects of proper 
conduct respecting the civil and religious interests of the 
people in this State. 

I. It is proposed to consider the character of the Rhode 
Island Protestants, as it appears from the early settlement 
and original institutions of this christian commonwealth. 

If we would understand and appreciate the character of 
the christian Reformers, who founded the early settlement 
and established the original institutions of this State, we 
must consider their objects, their prmciples and practices 
m respect to religion and government, with their real and 
proper effects. 



1. It was their great and special object to establish and 
maintain true christian liberty. Callender says, " Mr. 
Roger Williams and Mr. John Clarke, two fathers of this 
colony, appear among the first, who publicly avowed, that 
Jesus Christ is king in his own kingdom ; and that no 
others had authority over his subjects in the affairs of 
conscience and eternal salvation." Knowles says, " The 
cause of Mr. Williams's banishment is to be found in the 
great principle, which has immortalized his name, that 
the civil power has no jurisdiction over the conscience. 
The great doctrine of liberty of conscience was then a 
portentous novelty ; and it was the glory of Roger 
Williams, that he, in such an age, practiced it, defended 
it, suifered for it and triumphantly established it." George 
Bancroft, in his history of the United States, says of 
Roger Williams, " In the unwavering assertion of his 
views, he never changed liis position ; the sanctity of 
conscience was the great tenet, which with all its conse- 
quences he defended, as he first trod the shores of New 
England ; and, in his extreme old age, it was the last 
pulsation of his heart." To use the words of Williams 
himself, " The removal of the yoke of soul-oppression, as 
it will prove an act of mercy and righteousness to the 
enslaved nations, so it is of binding force to engage the 
whole and every interest and conscience to preserve the 
common liberty and peace." In the charter, which was 
obtained by John Clarke, the Sth July, 1G63, of king 
Charles, the Second, it is declared to be the object of the 
founders of this State, " To hold forth a lively experiment, 
that a most flourishing civil State may stand and best be 
maintained and that among our English subjects, with a 
full liberty in religious concernments ; and that true piety, 
rightly grounded on gospel principles, will give the best 
and greatest security to sovereignty and will lay in the 
hearts of men the strongest obligations to true loyalty." 
According to this object, they were expressly andespecially 



8 

allowed to practice non-conformity to the church of 
England. In the charter, it was published, granted, 
ordained and declared by the king, " That our royal will 
and pleasure is, that no person within the said colony, at 
any time hereafter, shall be any wise molested, punished, 
disquieted, or called in question, for any differences in 
opinion in matters of religion and do not actually disturb 
the civil peace of our said colony ; but that all and every 
person and persons may, from time to time and at all 
times hereafter, freely and fully, have and enjoy his and 
their own judgments in matters of religious concernments, 
throughout the tract of land hereafter mentioned, they 
behaving themselves peaceably and quietly and not using 
this liberty to licentiousness and profaneness, nor to the 
civil injury, or outward disturbance of others." It was 
also meant to guard the people against every civil and 
worldly motive, in respect to religion ; and to maintain 
the difference and distinction between ecclesiastical and 
political privileges, obligations and interests. Callender 
says, " This colony was a settlement and plantation for 
religion and conscience." He also says, " The very 
instrument of our original incorporation obliges us to 
serve God and Jesus Christ and obey all his holy laws." 
Such are the fundamental principles of civil and religious 
liberty, which it was the great and special object of the 
Rhode Island Protestants to establish and maintain, by 
the early settlement and original institutions of this 
christian commonwealth. 

2. It was also their object to establish and maintain 
christian and civil order and government, upon rational 
and scriptural principles. On these subjects, it is the 
first and great point of truth and duty to "render unto 
Caesar the things that are Caesar's ; and unto God the 
things that are God's." The sentiments and actions of 
human beings cannot be right towards God and yet be 



wrong towards men j nor right towards men and wrong 
towards God. The law of God and the gospel of his 
grace reach and bind all persons in all things. Our reason 
and conscience, as well as the law and gospel of God, 
teach and require us to regard and practice truth, justice and 
holiness, in our temporal and civil, as well as our eternal 
and sacred interests. The principles and professions of 
Roger Williams, on all subjects of civil government, as well 
as christian order and liberty, agreed with the decisions 
of conscience and the instructions of the Scriptures. The 
charter, which is the foundation of our ecclesiastical and 
political administrations unto this day, sanctions and 
ordains the righteous and regular establishment of gov- 
ernment and order, no less than religious liberty and 
christian practice. The act of this State, in the bill of 
rights, is one of the noblest specimens of truth, justice 
and righteousness, that was ever received by any political 
community, or published by uninspired legislators. Nor 
less noble, rational and scriptural is the act of the State 
" relative to religious freedom and the maintenance of 
ministers." The people of this State, so far as they have 
conformed to their fundamental principles and original 
institutions, have esteemed it their right and duty to 
maintain truth, justice, order and liberty ; and therefore 
to support religion and government, humanity and sobriety. 
And they have guarded and secured the persons, the 
property and reputation of their fellow citizens and fellow 
men, by the regular process of the laws and tbe mighty 
power of justice and truth, from injury and abuse, from 
falsehood and violence. They have not sought, nor 
allowed other persons to seek a redress of pretended, or 
real wrongs, by mobs, or riots, by violence, or craftiness. 
They have been as watchful, faithful and bold to maintain 
justice and order, as they have been to maintain civil and 
religious liberty. For what liberty can there be, in the 
church, or in the State, without trnth and justice, without 
9 



10 

law and order? Nor has it been thought a reproach, or 
an offense, in any citizen, christian, or man, to procure 
safety against violence and lies, or a redress of injury and 
abuse, by a regular and official recourse to law and justice. 
Nor have Rhode Island Protestants renounced the recti- 
tude, the importance, the necessity and obligation of 
military discipline and power, in subjection to civil' 
government and authority, for the preservation of peace 
and order, safety and property, against injustice, violence 
and fraud. Immorality, infidelity and impiety have no 
sanction, nor allowance, from the laws, the customs, or 
even the liberties of this commonwealth. In the church 
and in the State, liberty, but not lawlessness, justice, but 
not cruelty, order, but not stubbornness, decency, but not 
deceitfulness, tenderness, but not cowardice, are the 
objects of Rhode Island piety and Rhode Island policy. 
It is now proposed, 

3. To consider the principles of the Rhode Island 
Protestants. Their fundamental principles were right- 
eousness and benevolence, reverence towards God and 
affection towards men. They meant to think, feel, 
speak and act right in their conduct towards their Creator, 
their fellow creatures and themselves. Such are the 
sentiments, that were loved and believed, professed and 
practiced by Roger Williams. Such are the principles of 
our charter. Such is the character of the people, according 
to the acts, which form the foundation and sustain the 
superstructure of their political and ecclesiastical economy. 
But their principles and professions acknowledge their 
obligations to benevolence, as well as righteousness. In 
their institutions and performances, they have been 
influenced by benevolence towards christians and citi- 
zens ; and also towards strangers, foreigners, enemies and 
persecutors. The truth of this statement is evident from 
their conduct towards the Indians. Benevolence has 



11 

miirked their cluiracler towards the injured and tho 
oppressed in other communities. Tlie people in tliis 
State have generously distinguished themselves, by their 
atlections and exertions in favor of the enslaved and 
abused Africans and their American descendants, in 
former and later years. Towards their slanderers and 
despisers in other States, they have maintained a benev- 
olent, dignified and unre vengeful behavior. While they 
know, that they have been rejected and opposed by sister 
States and sister chiuches, they have remembered the 
example of their God and the prayers of their Savior 
towards his persecutors and murderers. Amidst the 
variety of differences and denominations, which exist 
within the narrow limits of the State, in respect to 
religious subjects, had not the principles and affections of 
righteousness and benevolence been deeply laid in the 
foundations of the commonwealth, such love and peace, 
such order and friendship, such communion and happi- 
ness, as generally prevail in our families, neighborhoods, 
villages, churches and towns, could have had no existence. 
The fundamental and professed principles of Rhode 
Island, on the great subjects of religion and government, 
of piety, of humanity and sobriety, are righteousness and 
benevolence. They are the principles of the Bible and 
of the gosix;! of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

4. We will now notice the practices of the people in 
this State. In respect to their civil and rchgious, their 
literary and scientific, their mercantile and mechanical, 
their agricultural and military, their domestic and social 
character and conduct, they have no reason to be afraid, 
or ashamed of an enlightened and impartial comparison 
with any other community. The christian ministers and 
civil magistrates of the State, her farmers and merchants, 
her mechanics and manufacturers, her physicians and 
attorneys, her statesmen and warriors, her poets and 



12 

orators, stand beibrc the world, without concealment and 
without deceit. The founders and the people of the 
State have now stood and acted before the world two 
hundred years. Until the conclusion of the second 
century from the commencement of her existence, they 
have stood as firmly, in the truth and order, in the spirit 
and power of the gospel, as any portion of Christendom. 
The people of the State did not fall from their integrity 
during the conflicts and trials which they had to encounter 
before the revolution. In the fearful war that gave 
liberty and sovereignty to the United States of America, 
under the supreme and holy government and agency of 
Jehovah, in the council and in the camp, on the sea and 
on the land, they were " first in the fight, though last at 
the feast." And when has Rhode Island fallen, or failed, 
in the State, or in the union, before she had finished her 
two hundred years of faith, hope and love ? The time 
would fail me, should I attempt to name the large number 
of worthy citizens and faithful servants, whom God has 
employed in private duties and public stations, during the 
earlier and later periods of this State, for the promotion of 
her various interests ; yet a numerous company, who are 
worthy of the most respectful and grateful remembrance, 
present themselves before my mind. But neither ,the 
dead, nor the living servants of the State, nor the State 
which they have truly loved and ably served, need any 
other elogium than a candid and judicious acknowledge- 
ment of their real and practical character. 

5. Let us now attend to the result of the experiment, 
which has been made by the Puritan Protestants and 
Christian Reformers of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations. And the elfects of their most adventurous 
and original, independent and disinterested experiment 
have completely demonstrated the truth of their principles 
jmd illustrated the wisdom of their institutions. Rhode 



13 

Island has not only succeeded and prospered within her 
own bounds, but slie has, under the marvellous dispensa- 
tions of divine providence and by the word and Spirit of 
our God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, for the 
glory of his holy and fearful name, been a great means of 
salvation to NeAV England and the United States : and 
she may yet be a great means, through the exceeding 
riches of divine mercy and by the exceeding greatness of 
the mighty power of God, of liberty and salvation, not 
only to these States, but to the nations of the earth. 
For '• God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to 
confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak 
things of the world to confound the things which are 
mighty ; and base things of the world and things v/hich 
are despised hath God chosen ; yea, and things which are 
not, to bring to nought things that are ; that no flesh 
should glory in his presence." Rhode Island and Provi- 
dence Plantations have maintained, possessed and enjoyed, 
for two hundred years, liberty with order, peace \vith 
truth, piety without prelacy and prosperity, in all her 
concerns and interests, without presumption and without 
ingratitude. And she has endured reproach without 
resentment and sutfered adversity without impatience, or 
despondence. " And now abideth faith, hope and love ; 
these three ; but the greatest of these is love."' And il 
these three sister graces and virtues, beauties and blessings 
abide with us, through the presence and favor of God, he 
will settle us after our old estates ; and he will do better 
unto us than at our beginnings. It is now proposed, 

II. To inquire what is necessary to the permanent 
settlement and advancement of this commonwealth upon 
its original foundations. 

All things in this world are subject to great and constant 
changes. Yet knowledge, goodness and wisdom, with 



14 

their happy and lovely effects, will he pennaueiit and 
triumphant on earth and in heaven. Though the political 
and ecclesiastical estahlishments and every sentiment and 
interest and party and name, which are not of Jesus 
Christ will be overthrown and destroyed ; yet whatever 
is of Jesus Christ will remain and prosper and prevail. 
While we review the wonderful movements of divine 
Providence from the morning of the creation until the 
present period, it is certain and evident, that God has 
pursued the greatest and wisest and best ends, by the 
most wise and proper methods, through the past scenes of 
earth and time. And such ends he will pursue, by such 
means, through the future scenes of earth and time, until 
the judgment of the great day. Such ends by such 
means he pursued in the early settlement and original 
institutions of this christian republic. With such senti- 
ments and impressions respecting our beloved and happy 
State, we ought to review the two hundred years Vvdiich 
have past since its commencement and which have so 
soon flowed into the boundless ocean of eternity. And 
we ought to consider, that the next two hundred years, 
with no less haste, will produce events and movements of 
greater wonder and more affecting interest in this State, 
in this land and throughout the earth. With such a 
fearful, yet joyful prospect, we are bound by every solemn 
and tender motive, as men, as christians, as citizens and 
philanthropists, to inquire what God and man would have 
us to do, that our civil and sacred interests may be settled 
after our old estates and be better than at our beginnings. 

And for these important purposes, it is necessary, 

1. That the people become intimately acquainted with 
the history of the State. The object, the principle and 
experiment of the Rhode Island Protestants were simple, 
definite and peculiar. They have been tried five times 



15 

forty years : and the world have looked and wondered ; 
objected, complained and blamed : but they now begin 
to approve and applaud. And they will be obliged to 
conform to the fundamental principles and to imitate the 
original institutions of this evangelical and republican 
commonwealth. The latest of American historians has 
recorded the verdict of truth and justice in favor of Rhode 
Island ; and all nations will pronounce the sentence, not 
of innocence merely, but of commendation and eulogy. 
Yea, it is believed, that the Supreme Judge and Sovereign 
of heaven and earth approves, by his word and spirit and 
providence, of her " work of faith and labor of love and 
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." And shall 
we impeach, or pervert the testimony of two hundred 
years in our favor, renounce our birthright for a mess of 
potage and deprive our children of the possessions and 
enjoyments, which our fathers won for us, in tlieir 
warfare for truth and peace against earth and hell ? If 
we would not commit such wickedness against God and 
man and be guilty of such folly, v/e ought to obtain and 
publish an accurate and faithfal account of our early 
Settlement and of the foundations and experiments of our 
ecclesiastical and political institutions. If we would 
estabhsh and advance the interests of this State in the 
doctrines, duties and blessings of the Gospel and of the 
Rhode Island Protestants and Puritans, we must become 
intimately acquainted with their most instructive and 
atFecting history and the great and happy eflccts of their 
living and lively experiment. Scraps and fragments of 
our history, a narrow and selfish account of parties and 
sects, will not show unto us, nor to our children the 
power and glory of God. as they have shone in this State ; 
nor will they teach us our duty and safety. 0, for that 
spirit of grace and wisdom, which was so mighty in the 
founder of this State, that " he was not afraid to stand 
alone for truth against the world." Let the people of 



\6 

this State arise and stand for the truth of their own 
history and act according to their fundamental principles 
and their original institutions ; and they shall find, before 
two hundred years, from this day, shall close their hasty 
flight, that the earth shall embrace the same holy princi- 
ples and be blessed with the same righteous and benevolent 
institutions with their powerful and practical influence 
and effects. 

2. It is no less important and necessary to maintain 
correct sentiments, respecting our civil and religious 
interests. Such sentiments were avowed and maintained 
against the Avorld, by the founder of this State. And 
uoto this day, it is the public sentiment and the solemn 
profession of this v/hole people, " that truth is great and 
will prevail, if left to herself; that she is the proper and 
sufficient antagonist to error and has nothing to fear from 
the conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed of 
her natural weapons, free argument and debate ; errors 
ceasing to be dangerous, when it is permitted freely to 
contradict them." These sentiments are scriptural and 
rational : they are glorious and beautiful. And they will 
arise and shhie upon all nations and fill the earth with 
light and love, with faith and hope, with peace and joy, 
Av'itli order and liberty, with purity and happiness, with 
glory, beauty and praise. Shall such doctrines, then, 
after they have been tried in this State two hundred 
years, now be disregarded, disobeyed, opposed and hated ? 
Sljall we for strange nonsense and foolish novelties, turn 
from the old estates of our beloved and happy heritage 
and renounce the principles and the privileges, which 
have, for two centuries, distinguished the commonwealth 
of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in important 
respects, from every other portion of Christendom .-' It 
should be our study and prayer before God and our 
constant labor before man, that the people in this State may 



17 

never renounce, nor despise their heavenly inheritance ; 

but maintain and transmit to successive generations, until 

the world shall end, the principles of civil and christian 

liberty, order, truth and peace, by which they have been 

so long and so highly blessed. But we are warranted to 

seek for our children, not only the liberties, the honors 

and blessings, which our fathers acquired for us ; but 

higher and nobler possessions and enjoyments. There is 

a precious word, on which God causes us to hope : " I 

will settle you after your old estates ,• and will do better 

unto you, than at your beginnings." But such an hope, 

however patient, without the work of faith and labor of 

love, will avail nothing for ourselves, or our children. 

Nor will either love, or faith, or hope, or peace, or joy, or 

patience, abide with us and produce their precious fruits, 

without a bold, humble and faithful profession and support 

of the truth, respecting every sacred and secular interest. 

3. U the people of this State would settle and advance 
their principles and enjoyments upon the only proper 
foundations, their civil affairs must be administered in 
righteousness. They have been the most highly repub- 
lican and thorotighly independent of any community, in 
the wide world, for two hundred years. But their 
republicanism and independence were never designed to 
renounce, or to oppose the holiness and supremacy of 
Jehovah ; nor to despise and abhor the dictates of 
humanity and benevolence towards our fellow creatures. 
In the charter, there is recorded the hope, in respect to 
the people of this State, that " there may, in time, by the 
blessing of God upon their endeavors, be laid a sure 
foundation of happiness to all America." Shall this hope 
be now turned to despair, because it was first formed from 
love to the Indians and must now be renounced from 
hatred to the negroes ? How can we have liberty ? how 
can we practice righteousness ? how can we profe.«;3 

3 



18 

piety ? how can we promote humanity ? while we Hve 
in intimate confederacy and fellowship with the most 
detestable and destructive slavery ? Union with slavery 
and the enjoyment of liberty and the practice of right- 
eousness are forever impossible. Rhode Island was the 
last of the old States to adopt the blood-stained communion 
of the united slave-holders and man-sellers and soul- 
traders. And, O, that she might be the first to repent 
of this injustice and violence and return to the holy 
profession and practice of righteousness ! If we are not 
delivered from our political participation in the cruelties 
and abominations of slavery, our glory will depart, our 
liberty be destroyed, our happiness be forgotten and our 
State be forsaken and abhorred by the holy and righteous 
God, in whom our fathers hoped under persecution and 
affliction. If this people would be settled after their old 
estates and have God do better for us than at our begin- 
nings, the standard of piety and humanity, of righteousness 
and benevolence, which was here raised by the noblest 
hero of the Protestant Reformers and Christian Puritans, 
must not be deserted by their official servants in the 
administration of our civil affairs at home, nor in the 
Congress of the union. Nothing but righteousness in our 
civil, as well as religious sentiments and practices, can 
exalt and advance this people ; or settle our liberties v/ith 
order and preserve our towns and churches and families 
from reproach and ruin and from the anger and vengeance 
of the holy and righteous God. 

4. For the settlement and advancement of the people 
in this State on proper and permanent foundations, we 
must practically regard the Scriptures on every subject of 
religion and humanity. We are bound by the very 
character, designs, works and law of God and by the 
mediation, atonement and government of the Lord Jesus 
Christ and by the agency, office and work of the Holy 
Spirit and by all the doctrines and duties, promises and 



19 

Ihrcatenings, rewards and punishments of the gospel, to 
love onr great and holy Creator with supreme and ardent 
affection and to love our fellow creatures, as ourselves, 
Avith impartial and disinterested benevolence. And 
v/ithout supreme love to (>od and true love to man, we 
have nothing of the true spirit of religion, or of humanity ; 
and are destitute of true virtue and are wholly selfish and 
sinful. Real and practical holiness, in heart, word and 
deed, is the sum and essence of religion and the whole 
duty which we owe to (xod and man. All opinions and 
practices, all affections and enjoyments, all divisions, 
contentions, disputes, parties and sects, will be tried by 
the immutable obligations and requirements, which bind 
all rational and moral agents to be constantly and perfectly 
holy. And they will stand, or fall, according to their 
nature and character, when tried by this simple, yet fearful 
test. Holiness, in its purity and power, in sentiment, 
aflection and action, in individuals, families and nations, 
throughout the earth and forever, is the great object of 
God in the Scriptures and in the instructions and 
movements of his providence. As unchangeable as the 
perfections of his character and as permanent as the 
pillars of his throne, is the command of his law and 
gospel, " Be ye holy ; for I am holy." With this 
command, the whole gospel of the grace of God, in its 
length and breadth, height and depth, perfectly agrees. 
It is only on the foundation of holiness, as taught and 
required in the Bible, that any community can be settled, 
advanced and prospered in its civil and religious interests 
and enjoyments. The people, then, in this State, must 
become thoroughly, practically and scripturally holy in 
all things, in order to be settled after their old estates and 
to do better, and fare better, than at their beginnings. 

5. For the establishment and advancement of this 
people in their liberties and enjoyments, proper measures 
must be adopted for the promotioji and prevalence of the 



20 

pure gospel throughout the State. The gospel, in its 
simplicity, purity and power, was the hope, the strength 
and life of the Rhode Island Protestants. Nothing, but 
the gospel, can produce true knowledge, holiness, liberty, 
usefulness and happiness among any people, or in any 
persons. Nothing, but the gospel, can preserve and 
advance any community, whether civil, or religious, in 
their possession and enjoyment of temporal and spiritual 
privileges. But the gospel will not exist, nor produce its 
holy and happy eflects, without genuine benevolence and 
practical self-denial, in the various departments and 
transactions of civil and religious society. Before this 
State can be settled, after its original foundations and be 
better than at its beginnings, it must be instructed, 
purified and beautified by the religious education of the 
rising generation, the powerful ministry of the gospel and 
the general effusions of the Holy Spirit. But who shall 
now arise and stand for the truth, order and liberty of the 
gospel against the world and against the parties and sects, 
that intend and labor, by all means and by any means, 
to gain the people of this State to their own selfish designs 
and partial interests ? " Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, 
thou that leadest Joseph like a flock ! thou that dwellest 
between the cherubims, shine forth ! Turn us, again, O 
God ; and cause thy face to shine ; and we shall be 
saved. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made 
heaven and earth." It is now proposed, 

III. To show the happy effects, which will arise from 
a wise and proper course of conduct, respecting the civil 
and religious interests of the people in this State. And 
it may be observed, 

1. Such conduct will effect the real union and visible 
Gommunion of true christians, throughout the State, in 
the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel includes 
and exhibits an immutable foundation for the perfect 



21 

^iinity and eternal communion of all beings and of all 
persons, who possess the spirit of holiness. Through the 
Lord Jesus Christ and by the gospel of his truth and 
grace, all holy beings will be perfectly and eternally 
miited in the kingdom of glory. Real christians, in this 
life, are virtually of one heart and of one soul. And so 
far as they are properly instructed and rightly treated, 
they love, believe and profess the same doctrines, they 
perform the same duties, exercise the same holy affections, 
pursue the same objects, enjoy the same blessings, maintain 
the same order and discipline and actually and visibly 
unite in the same divine and most holy and blessed 
communion. Such is the true nature and such are the 
proper effects of the gospel. Such will be its great and 
happy effects in all the nations of the earth. And such 
will be its future effects in this State ; and in every 
town and village, in every neighborhood and family. 
Such also are its present effects, in all persons and 
families, who conduct as they ought to do towards God 
and man, towards the church and the State. Shall this 
people, then, whose founders advanced two hundred 
years before other Protestants and other Puritans, now 
decline and retreat ? They may be, very easily and they 
ought to be, very speedily, settled after their old estates ; 
and they ought to be and do better than at their 
beginnings. Proper conduct will produce such effects, in 
the union and communion of real christians, throughout 
the State, in the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus 
Christ. 

2. Another effect of proper conduct will be the 
prevalence of the gospel through the State. Proper 
conduct, by real christians, will soon furnish from our 
own sons, as many teachers and preachers of divine 
truth, as can be needed, to communicate the instructions 
and present the blessings of the gospel to every town and 
village, to every family and person in the State, regularly 



22 

and permanently, publicly and from house to house. 
The right and wise system of conduct will also afford to 
the children and youth of the State the advantages of 
literary and scientific, religious and moral instruction and 
education, every day and in every district. Such will 
be the conduct of christians and of the people ; and such 
will be the good and happy etfects of their conduct at a 
future period ; and at a time, now not far distant. For 
God will hasten it in his time. And his time, yea, his 
set time to favor Zion in this State has come. Why, 
then, shall christians slumber? Why do the people 
delay ? Who can behold the multitudes in our towns 
and villages and not be moved with compassion ? They 
faint ; and are scattered, as sheep having no shepherd. 
The harvest truly is plenteous ; but the laborers are few. 
Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will 
send forth laborers into his harvest. Why should we 
deprive ourselves and withliold from our fellow creatures, 
who are so near us, the present and the eternal consolations 
and enjoyments of the gospel? Why should this people 
deny themselves a speedy and permanent settlement after 
their old estates ? and deprive themselves of privileges 
and enjoyments and honors, so much better than at their 
beginnings ? Shall the gospel soon be taught and 
preached through the earth and to every creature ? and 
not be taught, truly and purely and fully, to every family 
and every person in this State ? 

3. Another happy effect of proper conduct will be 
powerful assistance, in the exertions of the present time, 
for the reformation of all nations. The several denomin- 
ations in the State have not been ignorant, nor inactive, 
respecting the signs and movements of this time : or the 
communication of the gospel to the destitute at home, or 
in foreign lands. Yet, in this respect, the people do not 
act, nor appear, to advantage, nor in their real character. 
Their affections and exertions avp ohcnin-ed an*^^ conceal'^d. 



23 

by their connection with the several denominations in 
other States, to which they attach themselves. The 
christians, the chnrches and the people in this State have 
no distinct and prominent anniversaries, nor benevolent 
institutions of an evangelical character, which are peculiar 
to themselves and separate from the religious anniversaries 
and institutions of other States and which collect and 
unite christians and citizens of this commonwealth, in the 
affecting transactions and glorious enjoyments of such 
heavenly occasions. Nor have we any religious, scientific, 
or literary periodical publications, that exhibit the peculiar 
character and promote the peculiar interests of Rhode 
Island. In these respects we are tributary to christians, 
churches and people in other States. On this account, 
the intelligence and piety, the benevolence and enterprise 
of the State are not distinctly and properly shown and 
seen, in the great designs and movements of the present 
day, for the instruction and salvation of the nations. 
Could the intelligence, benevolence and energy in the 
State be raised above the entanglements of parties and 
sects and appear in their true light, it would then be 
seen, that my statements respecting this people, though 
now accounted the wild fancies of a lunatic and the 
unwise feelings of a whimster, are correct and moderate ; 
and founded on truth and knowledge, which have been 
gained by a very thorough and extensive and repeated 
survey of the churches and towns and a particular and 
accurate acquaintance with the history and character of 
the people, from the earliest settlement of the common- 
wealth to the present time. May God, i:i his mercy and 
wisdom, soon give us a fair trial on this subject ; and 
prepare us to meet it, for his own glory and the progress 
of his kingdom ! Let the christians in this State and the 
people arise and act in the spirit, that was of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, in Roger Williams, John Clarke and Henry 
Vane ; and then their principles and privileges will begin 
to be known and shown throughout the land and 



24 

throughout the world ! So we might afford the most 
powerful assistance to overturn and destroy the delusions 
and oppressions, by which Babylon has covered the earth 
with darkness and sorrow and guilt and shame for 
thousands of years. Such will be the great and happy 
effect of wise and faithful conduct, by the people in this 
State, for the general interests of piety and humanity in 
this impious and cruel world, of which Satan has so long 
claimed to be the God and the king. 

4. Another happy effect of proper conduct will be the 
blessing of God upon the temporal and spiritual interests 
and privileges of the people in this State. God has 
greatly blessed this State by its natural formation and 
scenery and by its relative position and limits ; and also 
by its atmosphere and territorial and maritime peculiarities 
and advantages. And he has more highly blessed the State 
by its fundamental principles and original institutions, both 
political and ecclesiastical. Bancroft most boldly, yet 
truly declares, " The annals of Rhode Island, if written 
in the spirit of philosophy, would exhibit the forms of 
society under a peculiar aspect. Had the territory of the 
State corresponded to the importance and singularity of 
the principles of its early existence, the world would 
have been filled with wonder at the phenomena of its 
history." The smallness of its territory does correspond 
with the importance and singularity of its principles ; 
and renders the phenomena of its history the more 
wonderful and glorious. And the world will yet be 
filled with wonder, when the annals of Rhode Island 
shall be written in the spirit of Christianity, so as to 
show what God wrought in the early settlement of this 
State, for the instruction and reformation of all nations; 
and yet wrought, simply and purely, by his word, spirit 
and providence, in such a manner as philosophy, without 
an unction from the Holy One, will never understand, 
nor believe. But wonderful and glorious, as its foundation 



25 

and history may be justly accounted, still greater wonder 

and glory shall elevate and distinguish its future history 

and advancement. For there is a marvelous preparation 

begun and it will be continned, for the general and 

powerful effusions of the Holy .Spirit, with all the gifts 

and graces and blessings and beauties of his truth and 

love, upon the churches and towns in the State. God 

waits to be gracious. And while he waits, he says, " I 

Avill settle you after your old estates ; and will do better 

mito you than at your beginnings." He also says, "I, 

the Lord, have spoken and I will do it." And again, " I 

will work ; and who shall let it ?" But what God does 

for the instruction, settlement and communion of his 

people in the liberties, enjoyments and ordinances of the 

gospel, he performs through their faithful patience, their 

labors and prayers. In this way he secures his highest 

glory and happiness and their fellowship and enjoyment 

in the blessings, which he gives and they receive. Thus 

God is blessed in blessing his people. And they are 

blessed in the duties which he appoints, that they may 

enjoy his holy presence and special favor. Just so far as 

the people in this State will perform their duty, they will 

be blessed of God and prepare the way for his blessing 

to rest on their children and their children's children, 

through all future ages until the world shall end. 

5. Another happy effect of proper conduct, by the 
people in this state, will be their preparation for the 
everlasting communion of the redeemed family of God in 
heaven. Let the two hundred years, which have passed 
since the foundations of this christian State were laid in 
the truth and spirit, in the liberty and order of the gospel, 
be faithfully reviewed and their instructions practically 
applied ; and long, long, before the next two hundred 
years shall finish their rapid flight, this j'recious and 
blessed portion of the earth shall be filled with wise, 

4 



26 

holy, useful, happy and lovely families, churches and 
schools. But the people in this State and their children, 
in all future ages, will soon finish their term of trial and 
be formed for the decisions of the final judgment and the 
retributions of eternity. And, then, neither two hundred 
years, nor two thousand, nor two millions, nor millions 
of millions of ages, will limit their future progress. They 
must exist and advance, as vessels of mercy, or vessels of 
wrath, in heaven, or in hell, world without end ! Such 
are the objects and such the motives, which bind and 
call and urge every citizen, every christian and every 
man, to do all he can do, that this people may be settled 
after their old estates and be better than at their, begin- 
nings. By such conduct we shall be blessed and become 
a blessing to the State, to the land and to the world, 
until the scenes of earth and time shall close. And then 
the people of this beloved and honored republic and the 
millions and millions of their children, who shall live and 
die before the world shall end, will be prepared for the 
employments, enjoyments and praises of the redeemed 
people of God. in the kingdom of glory, Avorld without 
end. And all praise be given to Jehovah, Father, Son 
and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen — Alleluia: for 
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ! 

IMPROVEMENT. 

1. From the preceding statement respecting the early 
settlement of Rhode Island, with its connections and 
consequences, it is evident there are great and special 
reasons for gratitude to God for his mercies towards the 
people in this State. Without this great movement in 
divine providence, there would have been no pure and 
thorough and practical deliverance from the delusions, 
cruelties and abominations of popery. John Robinson, 
in 1620, before the pilgrims left Holland, well said, " I 
charge you, before God and his blessed angels, that you 
follow me no farther than you have seen me follow Jesus- 



27 

Christ. If God reveal any thing to you by any otlier 
instrument, be as ready to receive it, as ever you were to 
receive any truth by my ministry ; for I am verily 
persuaded the Lord has more truth yet to break forth out 
of his holy word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently 
bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are 
come to a period in religion and will go at present no 
farther than the instruments of their reformation. The 
Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther 
saw. Whatever part of his will our God has revealed to 
Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it. And the 
Calvinists, you see, stick fast where tliey were left by 
that great man of God, who yet saw not all things. This 
is a misery much to be lamented ; for though they were 
burning and shining lights in their times, yet they pene- 
trated not into the whole counsel of God : but were they 
now living, would be as willing to embrace further light, 
as that which they first received. But I must herewith 
exhort you to take heed what you receive as truth ; 
examine it. consider it, and compare it with other 
scriptures of truth, before you receive it. For it is not 
possible the christian world should come so lately out of 
such thick anti-christian darkness and that perfection of 
knowledge should break forth at once.'' But who, 
among the New England churchmen and statesmen, 
followed the object and maintained the spirit of Robinson's 
wise and faithful charge so thoroughly and practically, as 
the founder of this State and the early settlers of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations? The events of two 
hundred years have shown the truth and the wisdom of 
that charge and the safety and happiness of the lively 
experiment, that was attempted and has succeeded within 
this State, in respect to the duty of constant advancement 
in the knowledge and practice of divine truth. For tliis 
decisive and glorious experiment, with its great and happy 
effects, " Let the people praise theCj O God ; let all the 
people praise thee." 



28 

2. What has been said in the present discourse shows, 
fthat there are great and special reasons to pray unto God 
for his presence and grace on behalf of this people. 
Though the fundamental principles of christian and civil 
liberty, order and peace, were truly professed and prac- 
ticed by the founder of this State ; yet these principles 
have not been thoroughly and faithfnlly reduced to 
practice in our towns and churches, families and neigh- 
borhoods. To a great extent and in many instances, they 
have been abused and perverted to infidelity and licen- 
tiousness, by native citizens of the State. Nor have 
they been less abused and perverted to evil purposes by 
some persons, who have come from other States and 
attempted to impose their opinions and practices upon the 
christians and citizens of this commonwealth, while they 
have chosen to be ignorant and erroneous respecting the 
liberty and order of the gospel and the principles, 
character and history of this christian republic. Neither 
Episcopalians, nor Presbyterians, nor Congregationalists, 
nor Methodists, nor Baptists, nor other Sectarians and 
Partisans, have been free from ignorance, error and sin in 
their designs and exertions respecting the religious 
interests and concerns of the people in this State. 
Besides the evils in the churches, there are many evils in 
the towns and in the civil transactions of the State, that 
oppose the true christian principle and policy of Rhode 
Island Protestantism. Even the Constitutionalists, who 
are weary and sick of the ancient charter, have put a 
little of the old leaven into their new lump ; and exclude 
colored people, whether Indians, Negroes, or Mulattoes, 
from the just rights of men, christians and citizens. But 
God will settle us after our old estates and do better unto 
us than at our beginnings. Our help and our hope and 
our strength are in the name of the Lord, who made 
heaven and earth. Let our prayer, then, be unto him, 
day and night, for his presence and blessing with the 
people of this State and with their descendants and 



29 

successors through future ages. " God be mcrcirul unto 
us and bless us ; and cause his face to shine upon us : 
that thy way may be known upon eart'.i, thy saving 
health among all nations." 

3. We may perceive what mercies are needed by the 
people of this State, that they may be established and 
advanced on proper and permanent principles. There is 
needed a visible standard, that may attract and unite the 
true and faithful friends and servants of God and man, 
throughout the State, upon the principles of the Bible and 
of Rhode Island Protestantism. This standard ought to 
be orthodox and liberal, rational and scriptural, devout 
and practical. There are also needed able and faithful 
teachers and preachers of divine truth and wise and holy 
ministers of the gospel. Nor is there less need of wise 
and righteous and holy and pious legislators and magis- 
trates and judges. There are also needed christian and 
learned teachers of common schools, for the instruction 
of children and youth, throughout the State, in manners 
and morals, in letters and science and every polite and 
useful art. And there is needed a more simple and 
scriptural formation of christiau churches, so that all 
persons, who are visibly disciples of the Lord Jesus 
Christ and children of the living God through the power 
and grace of the Holy Spirit, may be received and 
treated according to their character and conduct. There 
are also needed the purity and order, which God appoints 
and requires, in respect to families and the various 
domestic duties and relations. The head of every family 
is obligated and authorized to maintain the instruction, 
devotion and government, which belong to the several 
offices of prophet, priest and king, in his own house. 
Families are the most important socieiies, that can exist 
on earth ; and they form the character and condition of 
schools and churches, towns and kingdoms, states and 
nations. The head and every member of every family 
should be able and willing to say in truth, '• I will behave 



30 

myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come 
unto me ? I will Avalk within my house with a perfect 
heart." For the bestowment of such mercies and for the 
removal of such evils, as will prevent their reception, 
there is needed a general and powerful and continued 
effusion of the Holy Spirit with his most glorious and 
blessed instruction, guidance, comfort and strength. 
Such mercies are indeed great and precious. But they 
are not too great and precious for God to give ; nor for us 
to receive for the sake of his holy name. God now says 
what he said to his ancient people, '"Anew heart also 
will I give yon and a new spirit Avill I put within you : 
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh 
and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my 
Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes 
and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. And ye 
shall dwell in the land, that I gave to your fathers ; and 
ye shall be my people and I will be your God.'' The 
great mercies, which God gives to his own peojile in all 
nations and in all ages, there is reason to hope and believe 
he will soon bestow upon the people in this State, not for 
our sakes, but for his own name's sake. 

4. There are the most powerful inducements for proper 
and vigorous exertions for the temporal aud spiritual 
prosperity of the people in this State. The location and 
limits of the State are favorable to its rapid and general 
improvement. The principles of liberty and independence, 
in respect to all subjects of religion and policy, which are 
the birth-right of this people, are favorable to the discussion 
of all questions, which affect the spiritual and temporal 
interests of human beings. The foundations, on which 
the institutions of this christian republic were originally 
established and which have been so long tried and so 
thoroughly confirmed, are a peculiar advantage. The 
purpose and the work of God in the settlement of this 
State, so far as we can form a judgment from its happy 
effects, should induce us to be bold and valiant for his 



31 

truth and the honor of his name and the progress of his 
kingdom. The results of this hvely experiment are 
needed for the instruction and consolation of the church 
and children of God, in their present designs and labors 
for the deliverance of all nations from ecclesiastical and 
political usurpation and tyranny and oppression and 
violence. The revealed purposes and promises of God, 
respecting the future illumJnation and reformation and 
happiness of this guilty and troubled earth, are a perpetual 
and immovable foundation for confidence and exertion, 
that the people in this State maybe settled after their old 
estates and have God do better for us than at our begin- 
nings. The command of the Lord Jesus Christ, which 
binds his ministers and disciples to go into all the world 
and preach the gospel to every creature, with the promise 
of his almighty and constant presence, should move every 
man and woman and child in the State to do what they 
can for the progress and prevalence of divine truth in 
every town and village, neighborhood and family within 
its bounds. On this subject there should be no doubt 
and no delay. The glory and purpose and office and 
work of the Holy Spirit, in union with the Lord Jesus 
Christ and the eternal Father, warrant and oblige every 
person to make every possible and proper exertion for the 
temporal and spiritual prosperity and advancement of this 
people in knowledge, holiness, usefulness and happiness ; 
in glory and beauty and praise. The past and present 
movements and aspects of divine providence should induce 
us to hear and believe his word, when he says, " I will 
work; and who shall let it?"' Besides, we must be 
hastened to the awful decisions of the final judgment and 
the tremendous retributions of eternity. And can we 
bear and endure the sentence, that shall be passed upon 
every wicked and slothful servant in the great and last 
day? The supreme and final judge says, "Behold, I 
come quickly ; and my reward is with me, to give every 
man according as his work shall be." 



32 

5. We may be assured, that wise and proper exertions 
will be attended with the most pleasing success. The 
truth and the power, the justice and the mercy, the 
wisdom, the faithfulness and the sovereignty of Jehovah 
himself are engaged for the instruction and protection and 
assistance and consolation and encouragement of every 
one, who will truly and humbly serve him in the faith 
and patience of the gospel. Besides, a cloud of witnesses 
have lived and died within the bounds of this State and 
have gone to the rest and the rewards of heaven. None 
of their prayers and tears, none of their sorrows and 
cares, none of their labors and hopes, have been lost, or 
failed of the most glorious and triumphant success. 
They, who are faithful in the service of God and man, 
will soon sing, " O, death, where is thy sting ? O, grave, 
where is thy victory ? Thanks be to God, who giveth 
us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, 
beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, uiunoveable, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye 
know, that your labor is not in Vain in the Lord." 

Finally — In God we hope. Let us, therefore, pray in 
true faith, watch in all things, labor with patience, give 
with cheerfulness, deny ourselves at all times and in all 
things and rejoice evermore. Then shall we hear, in all 
our conflicts and trials, the few moments we may remain 
on earth, '' as it were the voice of a great multitude and 
as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty 
thunderings, saying, Alleluia : for the Lord God omnipo- 
tent reigneth.'" — "Now unto him, who is able to do 
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask, or think, 
accordhig to the power that Avorketh in us, unto him be 
glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, 
world without end. Amen. For of him and through 
him and to him are all things ; to whom be glory forever. 
Amen."' 



<£-.^- c^^.<J ^/^-#^«/. yy rSyf X Vl5*^-vr% 



RHODE-ISLAND 
PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION. 



The subscribers account themselves to be obligated by the duties, 
which they owe to God and man, to make an attempt to form and 
maintain a Society, that shall be influenced and governed by "the 
following articles of agreement. 

I. The Society shall be called The Rhode-Island Protestant 
Association. 

II. The objects of the Association shall bo to obtain and maintain 
the knowledge of the history and of the interests of the people in this 
State; to form and promote acquaintance, communien and friendship 
among ministers, churches and christians; to expose and resist all 
encroachments upon the personal, domestic, religious and civil rights, 
blessings and liberties of the people — of individuals, of families, of 
christians and churches : and to extend, as there may be opportunity 
and ability, the advantages of literary and scientific instruction and 
education, and the pure, peaceful and impartial ministry, instructions 
and blessings of the gospel, by wise and proper means, in this State 
and in other parts of the land and of the earth. 

III. The Association shall consist of such ministers of the gospel, 
christian teachers and other persons, as may approve of the objects 
and articles here presented ; and as may desire membership by the 
entrance of their names upon our records. 

IV. There shall be an annual meeting of the Association in the City, 
Providence, on the Tuesday after the second First day in August; at 
which meeting such official servants and committees shall be chosen 
and appointed, as may be found necessary, or expedient, to secure 
and promote the objects of the Association. 

V. There shall be a quarterly meeting on the Tuesday after the 
second First day in November, February and May, should divine 
Providence open the way for it, in such succession and rotation, as 
may be found practicable and expedient, in the different counties of 
the State. 

VI. At the anniial and quarterly meetings, any minister of the 
gospel, or pastor of a church, or any preacher, or teacher of divine 
truth, or any brother sent by any church, or meeting, or any delegate 
from any benevolent Society, who may be present, shall be entitled to 
all the privileges of the meeting, equally with the permanent and 
recortled members of the Association. 

VII. The Association shall never assume, nor exercise the authority 
of an ecclesiastical tribunal ; nor act as a council for the ordination, 
dismission, or discipline of ministers ; or for the formation of churches ; 
or for any other purpose of ecclesiastical government ; or of political 
interest and management ; nor shall approbate, or examine any 
persons, to be candidates for the christian ministry. 

At any annual or quarterly meeting, these articles may be altered, 
amended, or enlarged, provided it be done consistently with the 
fundamental principles of natural and revealed religion ; and such 
resolves and laws may be passed, as the Association may judge to be 
expedient and beneficial. 



■{l i 

m 






